Big Dipper (Pleasure Beach Resort)
| Big Dipper | |
|---|---|
 The sign on the side of the Big Dipper, somewhat obscured by the water fountains near the Infusion | |
| Pleasure Beach Blackpool | |
| Location | Pleasure Beach Blackpool |
| Park section | Star Beach Adventures |
| Status | SBNO |
| Opening date | 1923 |
| Closing date | August 11th 2009 |
| Cost | $23,000,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood – Twister – Custom |
| Manufacturer | William Strickler |
| Designer | John A. Miller |
| Model | Wooden Out and back coaster |
| Track layout | Out and back |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:28 |
| Max vertical angle | 46° |
| Capacity | 3 trains, 24 per train riders per hour |
| G-force | 3.7 |
| Big Dipper at RCDB | |
Big Dipper is a wooden roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool in Blackpool, England. The ride was first built in 1923 by John Miller. In 1936, Charlie Paige and Joe Emberton extended the ride, adding arches over the south entrance of the park and additional drops.[1]
The ride operates with two trains, each containing three four-bench cars, seating two people per bench.[1] The track follows an out-and-back layout.
In August 1998, Richard Rodriguez set a world record by riding the Big Dipper for over 1000 hours. There is a plaque commemorating this event in the ride's station. He returned in June 2000 to beat this record, spending 2000 hours on the rollercoaster.[2]
Accident
On August 11, 2009, two trains - carrying a total of 32 guests - collided, resulting in 21 guests requiring treatment at a nearby hospital for injuries ranging from whiplash and broken noses, to cuts and bruises.[3]
This brings the question to mind , should pleasure beach stop being greedy and shut down the 86 year old coaster. the incident happened because the brakes are manual unlike modern coasters.One day soon big dipper may fall down.
References
- ^ a b "Big Dipper (RCDB)". RCDB. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ "Record breaking teacher on a roll". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
- ^ "Big Dipper accident leaves thrill-seekers injured". Times Online. 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
53°47′21″N 3°03′25″W / 53.78917°N 3.05694°W
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